State fines natural gas distributor for safety violations

BOSTON (AP) — A state regulator has fined a natural gas distributor $1.25 million for 20 pipeline safety violations on Cape Cod.

The state Department of Public Utilities Pipeline Engineering and Safety Division decided on Friday to penalize National Grid.

An agency spokesman tells the Cape Cod Times (http://bit.ly/1mfDpOY ) that the fine is the largest penalty they’ve handed down against a local distribution company.

State officials said the company failed to follow its own operations and maintenance manual and did not follow federal and state pipeline safety regulations on over-pressurizing lines. They said the company can either sign a consent order and pay the fine, or request an adjudicatory hearing.

A company spokesman says it will not contest the consent order. It must pay the penalty within 30 days.